Pair of city streams beckons water lovers

1of6Stacey Banta, a certified kayak instructor with Texas Pack and Paddle (holding paddle), gives instructions for a tour on the San Antonio River. She leads beginners in the King William area.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

2of6Stacey Banta, a certified kayak instructor with Texas Pack and Paddle, teaches proper handling of a paddle for a guided tour on the San Antonio River. The number of kayakers, paddle boarders and canoeists on the river and San Pedro Creek has been rising.Photo: Photos by Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

3of6Miguel Alvarado and son Kevin, 12, paddle along the river during a guided kayak tour.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /San Antonio Express-News

4of6A guided kayak tour and instruction on the San Antonio River with Certified Kayak Instructor Stacey Banta and professional guide Brian Acker of Texas Pack & Paddle proceeds down the river with the Tower Life Building in the background on Saturday, June 13, 2015. MARVIN PFEIFFER/ mpfeiffer@express-news.netPhoto: Marvin Pfeiffer, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek have seen a veritable explosion of kayakers, paddle boarders and canoeists, triple the number from 2013 to 2014, with even more water enthusiasts expected this year.

“We’re very excited to see continued growth and interest,” said Yviand Serbones of the San Antonio River Authority. “I don’t even feel we’ve hit (our) ceiling, where we’ve got to that level where it’s too crowded. You don’t see people all rushing to one area, because we have spots, like King William or Espada Park, that are becoming more popular.”

According to SARA figures, the number of people paddling along the river and the creek rose from 1,800 in 2013 to 5,400 in 2014. Halfway through 2015, these waterways have logged 3,600 visitors — and summer has just started.

Though most visitors will book a guided session through one of SARA’s affiliate vendors, Serbones said river fans are welcome to use their own equipment to paddle on the river, provided they abide by park hours — sunrise to sunset — and check the SARA website for safety information when storms hit.

“We don’t want people to be at risk … from runoff debris, trash or (contaminants),” said Serbones, who cautioned residents to wait at least 72 hours to visit a waterway after a major rainfall. “We want folks to always check (the website) when there’s high water.”

Stacey Banta of Texas Pack and Paddle leads beginners’ kayaking groups in the King William area. The 1-mile waterway, which runs past SARA headquarters on 100 E. Guenther St., is mostly shaded and a perfect fit for people who might be picking up a paddle for the first time, Banta said.

“This is a good place to learn, it’s flat water. … Even the sections down south have very little flow,” she said. “This is a lifestyle thing — I just enjoy being outside all the time and interacting with the people.”

While Banta said that segments of the Mission Reach and River Walk might be known more for their hike and bike trails, passers-by can seldom resist the allure of the kayak.

“People will see us in a big group on the river while they’re hiking and biking, too,” Banta said. “I get stopped all the time down here, people asking, ‘Hey, can I get a card from you?’ People come out here thinking they’re going to get good exercise, and it is good exercise.”

Darlene and Mitchell Trubisky, both 52, hail from just outside Seguin. The pair, who were visiting relatives in town, spent a recent Saturday morning kayaking near Espada Park.

“We get a bit stir crazy if we don’t get outside,” Darlene Trubisky said. “This is about as good an area as any to get close to … nature, to get some fresh air.”

“I’m not a big fan of the bugs,” said Mitchell Trubisky, applying insect repellent as mosquitoes swarmed along the riverbank. “But besides that, being on the water is complete relaxation. … If other people just want to sleep in, more power to them.”

The local waterways have the added benefit of being closer than similar spots in San Marcos and New Braunfels, Serbones added. And the improvements attract visitors, as well.

“Now we’re getting tourists involved, too, so it’s not just for locals anymore,” Serbones said. “That was the goal of the (Mission Reach) project, and all these amenities — we didn’t want this to be a hidden opportunity.”

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in Political Science and Journalism and interning at the San Antonio Express-News in 2012, Gerlach returned in 2013 to cover the South Side for the Reporter.

He's explored topics ranging from Parkour to "Hero of the Hudson" Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, and secretly harbors a love for one of the Spurs' most hated Western Conference opponents.

Gerlach has also written for WCHL, Reese News, TheBlackFalcon.net, the Carrboro Citizen, the Carrboro Commons and the Carolina Review.